Fire-extinguisher.



G. A. THORNTON. FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 23, 1912.

1,963,228, v Patented June 3, 1913.

F55 INVENTEIR raven J GEORGE THORNTON, OF PAWTUCKET, REIOZDE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ARCHIE 1. PLACE, OF GRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND.

FIEEQEXTING'UTSHER.

aces.

Specification of Letters Eateut. Application et-a as, role. sci-nine. see, its.

Patented June 3, 1913.1

, To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. THORNTON,

Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.

' My invention relates to automatic fire ex '10 tingulshers tDClwllS primary purpose is to automatical-ly distribute fire extinguishing material, when the temperature reaches a pre determined point. a a

A further object is to attainthese ends .in

. a structure adapted to use in the house, 311'- tomobiles, launches, and elsewhere. A further object is to attain these ends in a structure that is inexpensive to manufacture and certain in operation. v

To the above objects essentially my invention consists in such partsand such combination of parts as fall within the scope of the appended claims. v

' In the ;accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my extinguisher, Figs. 2 and 3, vertical central sections of the same in closed'and open positions respectively, and Figs. i and 5, sections on lines m #50 and y y respectively of Fig. 2. I

- Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

My device in its present and preferred form comprises a base plate 1 provided with 3.5 upwardly bent ends 2 adapted to bear against the ceiling 3 or other surface from which. my device is intended to depend. In some instances the base plate 1 near its margin is provided with a plurality of openings 1 adapted to receive screws 5 for attachment. In the majority of instances, however, as will be later pointed out, perforations and screws may be omitted and my device may be suspended otherwise. Extending downwardly from the base plate 1 is a receptacle 7 comprising an inwardly curved side wall .8 with an open lower end. The center of the plate 1 is provided with an opening 9 and in this opening is fixed by solder or otherwise a downwardly depending rod 10 which in'the'present lnstance is tubular. Surrounding this rod, and interspaced therefrom concentrically thereto, is a tube 12, whose upper end is soldered or otherwise fixed to the base 1, and whose lower end is provided with an integral annular external shoulder '13. The tube 12'is somewhatcomprises a flat plate or disk 15 and a roundedlplate 16 integral with or fixed to the plate 15 and provided with a central opening 17 The plate 15 is provided with acentral, circular opening 19 around which extends vertically a sleeve 20 integral with the plate 15 and in slidable contact with the shorter than the rod 10. A slidable head 14:

tube 12. The tube 12 is provided intermediate in its length with a lug or projection 22 preferably pressed up from the metal wall of the tube and adapted to register in a vertically disposed open slot 23 in the upper portion-of the sleeve 20. Surrounding the tube 12 and the sleeve 20 and preferably interspaced therefrom is a helical spring 25, whose, upper end 26 extends through an opening 7 in the plate 1, and whose lower end 28, extends through an opening 29 in the plate 15. This spring is of considerable length and is made of resilient material, so

that it will not substantially set in coiled position, but will tend to uncoil if released.

The end of the rod 10 is adapted to enter the opening 17 and is of less diameter than the latter to permit the insertion thereinof solder-30, which connects the rod with the portion 16 of the head. The solder is of such consistency as to fuse at a predetermined degree of heat, the degree of heat being determined by the temperature by which it is desired that the device shall operate. The receptacle 7 is provided with a fire extinguishing material, in the present instance powder, 31.

The operation of the device is as follows :When the heat fuses the solder 30 the head leis released and under the pressure of spring 25 and is forced downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3, and rests upon the flange or shoulder 13. During its initial descent the head 14 is prevented from rotation by the lug 22 in slot 23, but after the upper end of the sleeve 20 passed below the lug 22 the head 14 begins to rotate under the ten sion of the spring 25, and the rotation continues with the plate 15- resting upon the shoulder 13 until the pent-up energy in the springis exhausted. Thus the head 14 has a rectilinear movement and .a contempo gravity out of the receptacle 7 upon the plate of the head, whence the material is v scattered over an extended area below the device by centrifugal action.

The rod 10 may be solid, but it is preferably tubular, as herein shown, in order to permit the passage therethrough of a gas pipe'or electric lighting wires when it is desired that my device be employed within doors, When used in this manner the attaching screws 5 may be omitted, and support; will be afforded the device by the engagement of the tubular rod 10 with the gas pipe by friction or otherwise.

What I claim is,

1. In an automatic fire extinguisher, the combination of a hollow body provided with an open end, a fixed suspension rod in the body, a rotary head removably connected with therod and in contact with the open end of the body, and means independent of the rod for rotating the head.

In an automaticfire extinguisher, the combination oi a hollow body provided with an open end, of a rod fixed in the body and extending below the same, a vertical tube fired in'the body adjacent with the rod and provided with a shoulder iipon its lower end, a head detachably connected to the rod below the body, a sleeve upon the head slidable upon the tube, and a spring in the body pressing downwardly upon the head.

In an automatic fire extinguisher, the

combination of a body comprising a base and a side wall, said base being provided with an opening, a tube fixed to the base and. surrounding the rod and provided with a shoulder, a head detachably connected to the rod below the body, a sleeve upon the head slidably engaging the tube, and a spring having one end pressing against the base and the opposite end pressing against Y Y the head. I

4. In an automatic fire extinguisher, the combination ot a body comprlslng a base and a side Wall, a vertical rod fixed to the base and extending below the .Wall, a tube fixed to the base, adjacent to the'rod, provided with a shoulder, and provided with a lug above the shoulder, a head detachabiy fixed to the rod below the wall, a sleeve upon the head slidable upon the tube and pro vided with a longitudinal'slot adapted to receive the lug, and a spring surrounding the tube and sleeve andabuttmg at one end against the base and at the other end, against the head.

5. In. an automatic fire extinguisher, the

the rod, and provided with a shoulder, a

head comprising a top plate adapted to contact with the end of the wall, and provided with a central opening, a curved plate fixed to the top plateand provided with an opening in a line with the opening in the top plate, and a sleeve fixed t0 the top plate around the first mentioned opening and slidably engaging the tube, the rod entering the opening in the curved plate and engaged therein by solder, and a vertical spring within the wall of the body having one end abutting against the base and the other end abutting against the top plate.

In testimony whereof I have afixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

' GEORGE A. THORNTON. Witnesses:

HoRATIo E. BnLLows, FRED XV. PERKINS.

Copies of this patent may'be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

